Last week, Popular Information reported that Montgomery County, Texas had mandated public libraries move a well-regarded children's book documenting the mistreatment of Native Americans in New England — Colonization and the Wampanoag Story — from the "non-fiction" section to "fiction." On Tuesday, the recategorization was
The sanctimonious minority in this society are like termites undermining the structure of an inclusion-oriented culture that accepts and embraces all peaceful races and creeds. Re-writing history is one of their favorite wedges to divide and denigrate. It is both shameful and shortsighted.
For these censors, their purpose is far closer to reversing history. They classify any history they do not like either as 'fiction', or they try to ban it altogether.
Judd, thank you for including links, including to your prior reporting. The people responsible for writing the "rules" for their little Star Chamber down in Montgomery County should be fired. Nobody with any real respect for the citizens of an American county would write rules like theirs. Nobody with any real respect for the U.S. Constitution or the Texas Constitution would write rules like theirs.
Excluding citizens from closed sessions of their little Star Chamber and precluding appeals obviously are measures that were designed, specifically, to suppress expression, specifically, to violate our "freedom of speech" and "the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." The First Amendment emphatically secures our freedom of speech and our right to assemble and petition, not merely as rights of individuals, but as vital powers of sovereign citizens.
In Citizens United v. FEC, 558 U.S. 310 (2010) SCOTUS (in an opinion in which Chief Justice Roberts and Justices Scalia, Thomas and Alito joined) emphasized that in our “republic” clearly “the people are sovereign” and “the ability” (the power) “of the citizenry to make informed choices” about public servants and public issues “is essential.” “Speech is an essential mechanism of democracy, for it is the means to hold officials accountable to the people.” “The right of citizens to inquire, to hear, to speak, and to use information to reach consensus is a precondition to enlightened self-government and a necessary means to protect it.” Thinking and speaking about government is the primary purpose and duty of government (and the primary power and point of sovereignty).
Exactly. So much more than something interesting to read (I have more than enough of that). Popular Information gets RESULTS, in the real world, on a regular basis. Journalism at its finest.
Honestly shocked that the decision makers behind this move didn't double down and try to defend it, but I'll surely take the reversal. Thanks for the good news.
Our RW is working on removing librarians deciding on books, teachers deciding on school curriculum, doctors deciding on health care, judges from following the law, scientists from input on many things including climate change. Basically take out the solid expertise and experience of experts and turn it over to a less knowledgeable bunch at best and liars at worst. And taking the word of a reality-show, convicted criminal, adjudicated sex offender, liar over people with years and years of experience, education and expertise.
Turn on the light and the cockroaches go scurrying. Excellent reporting (and a joy to be a paid subscriber). Remember when the mainstream media used to have gumshoe reporters that broke stories like this? Read any lately? I’ll wait.
I do not believe that they have any true spirituality to search. They are the opposite of anything like that. And they are never going to be this because it is now such a far reach to change into anything like what they claim to be.
Now...Onto the larger social problem at hand...what more can we change in regards to the election prospects of a failed, elderly, wanna be business tycoon, grifter, felon, rapist, American embarrassment, of a candidate such that he doesn't regain the White House as President of, in his words a so callled "failed nation"?
FYI, the author, Linda Coombs, has an upcoming talk on YouTube Oct. 30 at 11:45. In doing a bit more research of my own, I came across a horrific fact: Texas has banned nearly 450 books. I can't get my head around that this is happening in 2024 in the United States of America.
The sanctimonious minority in this society are like termites undermining the structure of an inclusion-oriented culture that accepts and embraces all peaceful races and creeds. Re-writing history is one of their favorite wedges to divide and denigrate. It is both shameful and shortsighted.
For these censors, their purpose is far closer to reversing history. They classify any history they do not like either as 'fiction', or they try to ban it altogether.
Judd, thank you for including links, including to your prior reporting. The people responsible for writing the "rules" for their little Star Chamber down in Montgomery County should be fired. Nobody with any real respect for the citizens of an American county would write rules like theirs. Nobody with any real respect for the U.S. Constitution or the Texas Constitution would write rules like theirs.
Excluding citizens from closed sessions of their little Star Chamber and precluding appeals obviously are measures that were designed, specifically, to suppress expression, specifically, to violate our "freedom of speech" and "the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." The First Amendment emphatically secures our freedom of speech and our right to assemble and petition, not merely as rights of individuals, but as vital powers of sovereign citizens.
In Citizens United v. FEC, 558 U.S. 310 (2010) SCOTUS (in an opinion in which Chief Justice Roberts and Justices Scalia, Thomas and Alito joined) emphasized that in our “republic” clearly “the people are sovereign” and “the ability” (the power) “of the citizenry to make informed choices” about public servants and public issues “is essential.” “Speech is an essential mechanism of democracy, for it is the means to hold officials accountable to the people.” “The right of citizens to inquire, to hear, to speak, and to use information to reach consensus is a precondition to enlightened self-government and a necessary means to protect it.” Thinking and speaking about government is the primary purpose and duty of government (and the primary power and point of sovereignty).
Excellent work covering this story. You're definitely making a difference and I'm happy to be supporting this substack.
Ditto
Exactly. So much more than something interesting to read (I have more than enough of that). Popular Information gets RESULTS, in the real world, on a regular basis. Journalism at its finest.
Resistance works! Do not succumb to fascists.
I am so thankful that I found Popular Information!
I’m going to order this book for my grandkids who live in New England and for their schools.
Just did the very same!!
Honestly shocked that the decision makers behind this move didn't double down and try to defend it, but I'll surely take the reversal. Thanks for the good news.
They had nowhere to hide.
There really is no defense .
Fucking maga fascists and racists! Fake christians on top of that. Get rid of them all. Vote blue!
Awesome work, Judd!
Well done! You give us hope.
Our RW is working on removing librarians deciding on books, teachers deciding on school curriculum, doctors deciding on health care, judges from following the law, scientists from input on many things including climate change. Basically take out the solid expertise and experience of experts and turn it over to a less knowledgeable bunch at best and liars at worst. And taking the word of a reality-show, convicted criminal, adjudicated sex offender, liar over people with years and years of experience, education and expertise.
Turn on the light and the cockroaches go scurrying. Excellent reporting (and a joy to be a paid subscriber). Remember when the mainstream media used to have gumshoe reporters that broke stories like this? Read any lately? I’ll wait.
I like your first sentence.
Reading Is Fundamental.
I pray the members of this committee are spiritually able to search their minds and hearts for the impulses of their actions.
Actual history has been and is under fire and I'm truly glad to read this.
I do not believe that they have any true spirituality to search. They are the opposite of anything like that. And they are never going to be this because it is now such a far reach to change into anything like what they claim to be.
Now...Onto the larger social problem at hand...what more can we change in regards to the election prospects of a failed, elderly, wanna be business tycoon, grifter, felon, rapist, American embarrassment, of a candidate such that he doesn't regain the White House as President of, in his words a so callled "failed nation"?
Well Done, indeed. Such a relief to read this story. Light at the end of a tunnel it is!
It seems like an example of something we already know from history.
Power goes to the informed and organized. Let’s organize some more!
Tex ass deserves my new name! Some people there have brain cells that haven’t died! Hooray there is hope!
Well done Judd!
Fantastic! Great work
FYI, the author, Linda Coombs, has an upcoming talk on YouTube Oct. 30 at 11:45. In doing a bit more research of my own, I came across a horrific fact: Texas has banned nearly 450 books. I can't get my head around that this is happening in 2024 in the United States of America.